Waterford v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Waterford v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Waterford FC v. Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 12, RSC, Friday 26^th April 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Despite the negativity surrounding events both on and off the pitch in Derry’s 3-1 loss to Shamrock Rovers on Friday, City have come out of yet another Friday-Monday weekend just three points off top spot following an impressive 3-1 win over St Pat’s on Monday night.

 

The Candystripes started brightly against the champions on Friday, with Danny Mullen coming closest when a left-footed effort from outside the box crashed off the post in the first half. Derry’s deployment of a five-man defence meant that Will Patching and Adam O’Reilly had a serious amount of running to do in the centre of the park. As Rovers grew more into the game and took control, their midfield of Richie Towell, Graham Burke, Dylan Watts and Gary O’Neill ran the show. Watts assisted both of Aaron Greene’s goals, whilst Towell swept Graham Burke’s lay off past Brian Maher to seal the game with 20 minutes to go. Pat Hoban’s 7^th goal of the season was merely a consolation, but the side from Tallaght dominated the second half in a way that isn’t often seen in the Brandywell. The City faithful will want to get this one out of their memories as quickly as possible, particularly when considering the scenes at the end of the match.

 

Monday’s performance was a near-perfect response though. With around 500 less people in the Brandywell, the players knew they needed to get the crowd back on side. Even though they had 67% of the ball throughout the ninety minutes, St Pat’s posed little threat despite the quality in their attacking areas. The Saints’ centre backs saw a lot of the ball, but Derry sat tight. It seems like Ruaidhrí Higgins had a game plan and the players stuck to it. Danny Mullen continued his rich vein of form, scoring either side of a Pat Hoban goal to guide City to a healthy victory. That goal from Hoban was City's 2500th in a competitive fixture. Unlucky not to find the net against Rovers, Mullen’s deft flicks and passing range are complimenting the team nicely. It was good to see both of City’s strikers get on the scoresheet as the manager went for two-up-top, a tactical change which won them the game last time Pat’s visited the Brandywell.

 

We’re now two-and-a-half months into the season and Derry’s injury woes aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Cameron Dummigan has appeared just once since being stretchered off against Sligo Rovers back in February and hasn’t been included in the squad since his return against Dundalk. It’s a similar story with Patrick McEleney, after receiving his long awaited Achilles surgery at the end of 2023, the midfielder seemed to be back to his best in pre-season. He was also brought off injured in that game in Sligo and has appeared just once since. Last appearing on the bench in draw away to Drogheda two weeks ago, it seems like City’s captain may have another tough season ahead as he awaits results of a calf scan. Sadou Diallo, injured in a friendly against Finn Harps in pre-season, hasn’t been in a matchday squad this term as he approaches his third month on the sidelines. The bad news keeps coming too - Jordan McEneff has suffered a broken foot and won't be involved for the forseeable. Michael Duffy, too, picked up an injury against in Friday’s 3-1 defeat to Shamrock Rovers and saw no minutes against Pat’s on Monday. Ruaidhrí Higgins will hope that his left winger’s knock isn’t serious.

 

Waterford have had something of an up-and-down season so far. They’ve won three matches – beaten Bohemians, St. Pat’s and Drogheda – but have lost four and drawn four of the other eight matches. They’ve won only once this season at home and will want to pick up their form if they’re to keep breathing space between themselves at the bottom two. 8^th at the minute, Waterford are just two points off fellow promoted side Galway United in 5^th. They bagged 84 goals last season in the First Division and, with striker Pádraig Amond scoring five already this season, the Blues certainly aren’t short when it comes to finding a goal. Winger Maleace Asamoah, who appeared eight times in League One last season, has found the net three times this term too. Left back Darragh Leahy has also had an impressive start to the season, scoring twice and assisting twice to date. Northern Ireland U21 international Barry Baggley is a tidy defensive midfielder who can dictate play from the centre of the park. He’s been out injured since mid-March and will be a miss to the Waterford midfield. Goalkeeper Sam Sargent is quietly making a name for himself too. With three clean sheets and an assist already this term, the English keeper is a calm head between the sticks.

 

City’s 3-0 win over Waterford in the Brandywell earlier this season will give the side confidence going into Friday’s fixture. Pat Hoban would be doing well to replicate that hattrick on Friday, but with eight goals in ten games you’d be mad to bet against him getting on the scoresheet. The Candystripes haven’t won in Waterford since May 2021 when Ronan Boyce got the only goal of the game against just four minutes. The right back is now a nailed on starter for City and has bagged twice so far this campaign. Friday will be Derry's 600th away game in the Premier Division and their  50th against Waterford. The Blues are unbeaten in their last three and Derry haven't won on the road this season, so it’s up to the visitors to show their ruthless side and gather another valuable three points.
Pól O'Hare - 24 April 2024

Double Preview: Derry City v Shamrock Rovers & St. Patrick’s Athletic

 

 

Derry City v. Shamrock Rovers, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 11, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 19^th April 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Derry City v. St Patrick’s Athletic, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 24 (technically), Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Monday 22^nd April 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

It’s already the third Friday-Monday match weekend of the season and they don’t come much tougher than this. After failing to put the game to bed away to Drogheda United last week and drawing 2-2, manager Ruaidhrí Higgins will want his players to be on top form against the champions and FAI Cup winners this weekend.

 

The Candystripes weren’t poor against Drogheda by any means. After going 1-0 down within three minutes, the City players responded well and played some neat football before the half was out. Michael Duffy equalised for City just before the half-hour mark, stooping highest to head a Paul McMullan cross past South African international goalkeeper Jethren Barr. Will Patching one-upped himself in his own goal of the month competition, firing a looping strike from range into the top corner on the stroke of half-time. The former Manchester City midfielder will make his 100th appearance for City on Friday against Shamrock Rovers.

 

Derry came close to adding to their lead in the second half as Danny Mullen’s header came off the post – a goal which would’ve surely guaranteed the points for the travelling side. The pressure on Brian Maher’s goal mounted as the half went on though and, five minutes from time, Haitian forward Frantz Pierrot saw his side-footed effort go in off the post – opening his account for Drogs. The substitutions of Daniel Kelly and Danny Mullen, two forwards, for Shane McEleney and Ben Doherty, two defenders, prior to the late equaliser meant that Derry lacked a bit of dynamism going forward in search of the winner. A late free-kick towards the back post came to nothing, and City left Weaver’s Park with just a point. They’ve one only won of their last six fixtures on Boyneside.

 

Bohemians’ win over Shelbourne did mean that City didn’t concede more ground to the Tolka table-toppers. Without a win in their last three, Shelbourne’s early dominance may be starting to wane. Bohs beat Dundalk in their game in hand earlier this week too, meaning that they’re now third place and sit level on points with Derry. Shamrock Rovers’ recent resurgence after a slow start means that they too are back in the top 4, a point behind the Candystripes with a game in hand.

 

Derry haven’t beaten Rovers in the Brandywell since a 2-0 win in the President’s Cup in early 2023, and haven’t beaten them in league action since Jamie McGonigle’s 95^th minute winner in February 2022. Similarly to 2023, the Hoops made another slow start to the league campaign. Last year they had to wait until the seventh game to pick up their first win, before winning nine of their next eleven fixtures. Eventually winning the league by a margin of seven points shows that Rovers’ slow starts should never be taken as an indicator of how their season may go. They picked up just three points from their first four games this term, but have won four of their last five games and seem to be getting back into their groove.

 

A 3-0 win over Sligo Rovers, who had an impressive start to the season, shows that Rovers are coming back into form. Aaron Greene bagged twice, whilst Graham Burke – who won and scored a penalty against Derry in the 1-1 in the Brandywell last year – opened the scoring. MK Dons loanee, and former St. Pat’s winger, Darragh Burns joined the Hoops at the beginning of the season and has five goal involvements in nine games this campaign, including a goal and assist in Tallaght when Derry visited in early March. That 2-2 draw, much like the one last week against Drogheda, was another instance when City lacked that lethal touch and conceded late on to squander a 2-1 lead.

 

Rory Gaffney, who has been key to Rovers’ success in the past few years, hasn’t played since the 15^th of March. Jack Byrne is another notable absentee – the former Republic of Ireland international hasn’t featured since September of last year. Derry man Aaron McEneff also hasn’t played for Shamrock Rovers since rejoining for the club on loan from Perth Glory. Neil Farrugia, too, has played just once this season after picking up an injury on the opening day draw to Dundalk. Despite their injury issues though, the Tallaght side have quality all over the pitch and have a ruthless streak that has seen them win four titles in a row. Derry City will need to be on their A-game if they’re to get three points on Friday.

 

It doesn’t get any easier for City as they host St. Patrick’s Athletic for the second time already this season on Monday. Due to European involvement for both camps in July, this game is technically ‘Round 24’. Don’t worry, Round 23 isn’t until the 4^th of July. Inconsistent is probably the best way to describe Pat’s’ season so far, which isn’t surprising due to the amount of new faces that came through the door in the off-season. Out of their ten games this season, they’ve won four, lost four and drawn two – leaving them fifth in the table but just two points behind City in second place.

 

Saints’ boss Jon Daly would have been disappointed after his side played out a scoreless draw against bottom-side Dundalk last week, but 2-1 and 3-0 wins over Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers show that they’re no slouches when they get going. Former Derry City playmaker Brandon Kavanagh has assisted four of the Inchicore side’s ten goals this season, but marquee signing Ruairi Keating has found the net just twice this campaign. Former Cliftonville defender Luke Turner is joint top scorer for Pat’s this term, joint on two with the aforementioned Keating. Aside from Kavanagh’s four assists, the other players who registered an assist for the Saints in 2024 are defenders- Joe Redmond, Conor Keeley and Anto Breslin. Ten goals coming from eight different scorers shows that Pat's aren’t reliant on one man – which could be a threat to City on Monday.

 

Derry’s 2-1 win over St Patrick’s Athletic on the first of March was a great show of resolve by the City players. After an eventless first half, Ruairi Keating fired past Brian Maher just minutes after the restart to give the away side the lead. A goal from Pat Hoban on the 65^th, followed by a 92^nd minute Danny Mullen winner gave the Candystripe faithful hope for the season ahead. It hasn’t gone quite to plan so far, as Derry remain winless on the road, but winning four out of five games at home bodes well going into the weekend ahead.

 

The height in the Pats backline shows that they won’t shy away from the physical battle, whilst the return of goalkeeper Danny Rogers to the starting eleven has added more confidence in the defence. Liverpool loanee Marcelo Pitaluga hasn’t appeared since a 3-1 loss to Waterford in March after shipping seven goals in his first four appearances for Daly’s side. Derry know all too well the talents of Chris Forrester and Jake Mulraney – two players who bring a bit of flair and unpredictability to the Pats midfield.

 

Ruaidhrí Higgins will have been glad to see Ben Doherty and Patrick McEleney back in the matchday squad after injuries, whilst the sight of Sadou Diallo and Pat Hoban training alongside Colm Whelan down in Drogheda was a welcomed one. It’ll be a year to the day on Sunday since Whelan burst onto the Derry scene with a winner against Cork City after a year out due to an ACL tear. The forward, who signed from UCD, suffered a devastating reoccurrence of that ACL injury at the start of May last year though – meaning he suffered two potential career ending injuries in consecutive Mays. Whelan won’t be rushed into the team, but if he’s fit by the summer he’ll be a welcomed addition as City aim to fight on league, cup and European fronts.

 

It's weekends like these that shape seasons. Lose on Friday and Monday and there mightn’t be a league title push for City this season. Win both games and City could find themselves back on top of the pile. The Candystripes will need to be ruthless if they are to win big ties like these, as the loss of more points from winning positions will come back to haunt us come November. Risk-taking is a part of the sport, and making offensive changes to kill a game will reap rewards if they mean that Derry get into the habit of coming away with more than a draw when the going gets tough. Friday's sold out and Monday won't be far off it, this should be a good weekend of action.

 

Pól O’Hare – 16 April 2024

 

 

 

Drogheda United v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Drogheda United v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Drogheda United FC v. Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 10, Weaver’s Park, Friday 12^th April 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

It was a case of no-Hoban-no-problem for Derry City as they thumped stricken Dundalk 4-1 at the Brandywell to end a three-game winless streak and climb back to second in the Premier Division table. Goals from Adam O’Reilly, Will Patching, Danny Mullen and Michael Duffy saw City cruise past the Louth side, who sacked manager Stephen O’Donnell after the loss and find themselves rock bottom of the table – winless this term. Derry face Dundalk’s Louth and relegation zone neighbours Drogheda United on Friday, as the Candystripes aim to build on some positive momentum following a handful of poor performances.

 

Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men seemed to have a bit of confidence about them on Friday night, showing the signs of a reinvigorated side. City's manager spoke before the game on how he wanted his team to put in a shift that would get the fans back on side and, particularly in the second half, they did just that. It seemed that fans, players and staff alike were pleased to have the pressure lifted and get a bit of positivity back about the Brandywell. Adam O’Reilly and Will Patching were particularly impressive in controlling the midfield, crowning their performances by each finding the back of the net. Another positive was seeing the returns of Cameron Dummigan and Ben Doherty after injuries, whilst four different scorers showed that Pat Hoban wasn’t as much a miss as feared.

 

It doesn’t feel like two months ago since Drogheda travelled to the Brandywell on the opening day of the season and, with the first round of fixtures behind us, a quarter of 2024’s league games have already been played. Since their 2-1 defeat in the Brandywell in mid-February, Drogheda’s season hasn’t quite gone to plan. Their only win came over Bohemians, a 2-1 victory in early March. The Drogs are coming off the back of a run which has seen them draw their last three fixtures, although holding table toppers Shelbourne and third placed St Patrick’s Athletic are certainly not bad results.

 

Drogheda have struggled for goals this season and it seems to be hurting them. Left back Evan Weir is their top league scorer with three goals. Andrew Quinn, Steve Zishim Bawa and Derry native Oisin Gallagher are the club’s only other league scorers – chipping in with a goal each. Haitian striker Frantz Pierrot, who was highly sought after following a bountiful season in the First Division with Athlone Town last year, has failed to hit the ground running. He has featured in seven of Drogs’ eight games and hasn’t yet found the back of the net. Warren Davis is also scoreless in eight games this season, leading manager Kevin Doherty to trust veteran midfielder Ryan Brennan with leading the line against Shelbourne last week.

 

Playmaker Darragh Markey is always a threat when Drogheda play. The former St. Pat’s man contributed to five goals last season and is tricky in the number ten role. Derry man Oisin Gallagher, who is on loan from Lincoln City, opened his account for the season with a smart finish against Shelbourne last week, and is versatile across the midfield. Despite not scoring this term, Frantz Pierrot’s strength and presence in the attack can’t be undermined – his twenty-two goal haul last season speaks for itself. Former Finn Harps man Adam Foley also netted a hattrick in a recent 4-0 win over Athlone Town in the Leinster Senior Cup. Drogheda United certainly aren’t a bad side and have talent in the team which would arguably warrant a higher placing in the league than were they find themselves.

 

Derry City could do with continuing their newfound run of form and winning away to Drogheda on Friday, especially considering the double-header against Shamrock Rovers and St. Pat’s the weekend after. The Candystripes are unbeaten in their last four against Drogheda and have lost just twice of the last nine games against the Louth side, going back to March 2022. Weaver’s Park is a tough place to go to though, with City coming out on top in just one of the last five meetings between the two there. Adam O’Reilly scored his first Derry City goal in this fixture last year - he’ll be hoping to find another this time out.

 

With the gap to top spot still sitting at six points, Derry need to be winning in order to stay in the hunt for the title. Drogheda find themselves three points from safety and need to turn their unbeaten streak into wins across the next few weeks in order to gain some distance between themselves and the relegation zone. The game on Friday mightn’t be a pretty one, but both sides will be aiming for the win in order to keep tabs in their fights at either end of the table.

Pól O'Hare - 11 April 2024

Derry City v Dundalk: Match Preview

 

Derry City v Dundalk: Match Preview

 

Derry City FC v. Dundalk FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 9, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 5^th April 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Both Derry City and Dundalk go into Friday’s fixture looking to end poor runs of form. After winning three of their opening five games, City find themselves 8 point adrift of top spot after picking up just one point from their last three matches. Dundalk sit rock bottom of the table, without a win and with a goal difference of -9. Both teams, and both managers, will be desperate to get three more points on the board as pressure already begins to mount this early in the campaign.

 

Derry’s loss against Galway United on Friday marked a low-point in the Ruaidhrí Higgins era. As unbeaten Shelbourne extended their lead at the top with a win against Dundalk, City were outfought by a newly promoted Galway side, who scored late on to claim their first Brandywell win since May 2015. It wasn’t a pretty performance and was compounded by a few big misses, meaning Derry faced the tall task of travelling to Shelbourne on Easter Monday.

 

That first half against Shelbourne was certainly an improvement. Higgins wanted a reaction from his players and seemed to get it. Will Patching and Pat Hoban both came close as Derry kept the pressure on Conor Kearns’ goal. It seemed like Shels were glad to get into half-time with the game scoreless, especially considering Damien Duff’s squad was supposedly floored by illness over the Easter weekend. Patching came close with a free kick early in the second half but City failed to fashion anything more than half chances before the full-time whistle came. A draw against a team in the form of Shels is certainly not a bad result, but a win could’ve done massive favours in Derry’s title hopes.

 

City now sit fourth in the table, level on points with Sligo Rovers in second - but that eight point gap to top seems to look even bigger with every glance. Shamrock Rovers have leapfrogged the Candystripes to go into third place, and also have a game-in-hand on their fellow challengers. Bohemians seem to be having something of a revival under Alan Reynolds and have won two of their three games since Declan Devine left. They’re currently sixth, two points behind Derry but also holding on to the luxury of a game in hand.

 

Dundalk haven’t won a league match this season and faced quite the rebuild coming into the new campaign. All-time leading scorer Pat Hoban joined Derry, alongside winger Dan Kelly. Greg Sloggett signed for Cheltenham Town, Nathan Shepperd left for Wycombe Wanderers and midfield duo Keith Ward and John Martin left for Shelbourne. Waterford snapped up Darragh Leahy and Robbie McCourt whilst Torino swooped for teenager Senan Mullen. Holding on to Archie Davies, who was courted by Shamrock Rovers in the off-season, and 20 year old winger Ryan O’Kane can be considered transfer market wins for the Lilywhites.

 

Dundalk brought in eleven new players ahead of 2024. Dara Keane impressed at UCD last year and was signed to bolster defensive options, as was Jamie Walker and Zak Johnson – brought in from Kelty Hearts and Sunderland respectively.  Dutch midfielder Koen Oostenbrink was signed from FC Eindhoven alongside Zak Bradshaw and Scott High, who were picked up on loans from Lincoln City and Huddersfield Town. Three strikers were brought in to try and replace the goals of Hoban; Robert Mahon from Motherwell, Ciaran McGuckin on loan from Rotherham United and Jamie Gullan from Raith Rovers. The latter is known for possessing a wicked free kick and gave the League of Ireland a taste of that when he fired one past Leon Pohls in Tallaght on the opening day.

 

The Lilywhites have only scored twice in the league this season, conceding eleven in their opening seven games. The only points they’ve picked up have been a 1-1 draw and two 0-0s and in March, they were dumped out of the Leinster Senior Cup by St. Mochta’s. Safe to say, Stephen O’Donnell is under pressure in the Oriel Park dugout. He needs wins to keep his job as much as Dundalk need them to get points on the board, so they’ll certainly come out fighting. They haven’t beaten Derry since the last day of the 2022 campaign - a 1-0 win in the Brandywell. Derry put eight goals past Dundalk in 2023 too, conceding three across the four games played by the two.

 

Both teams need points, Dundalk for survival and Derry to maintain any hopes of a title push. With a double header against Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick’s Athletic coming up in two weeks time, and Drogheda United away next week, these are the games that City really ought to be winning. Neither manager will be entirely comfortable at the minute, so expect an entertaining game as the two teams go attacking to get their season’s back on track.

 

Pól O’Hare – 3 April 2024